JOB SUMMARY:

Are you looking for a job where you can make a difference? Interested in working in a dynamic, small-agency environment? At NSF, every member of the team contributes to success! That's just one of the reasons why NSF, conveniently located in the heart of Ballston, is one of the best places to work in the federal government. Due to its relatively small number of employees, NSF has a unique feeling of collegiality. It is not uncommon to hear colleagues discuss a wide variety of subjects from our newest work-life initiatives to the latest scientific, engineering, and education developments.

At NSF, you will use your administrative support expertise in an exciting, challenging, and team-oriented environment. You will have the opportunity to use your current skills to help make NSF's vision of the future become reality. NSF also offers a variety of formal and informal learning and development opportunities that you can use to build new skills and advance your career. If you're seeking variety and challenge in a collegial atmosphere, look no further than NSF! More about NSF.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

DUTIES:

Be the core of a team keeping the United States at the leading edge of scientific discovery! Program Specialists serve a vital support function to the National Science Foundation's scientific directorates. As a Program Specialist, you will play a key role in monitoring program effectiveness by providing comprehensive analytical support in the areas of proposal processing, logistics, data management and analysis and providing input for continuous improvement to the overall processes. Assists Program Director in reviewing proposals to organize into panels, researching and identifying reviewer pools, and supporting technical correspondence. Assists Program Director on developing outreach plans and presentations methods. Interfaces with other Divisions/Directorates to plan and coordinate outreach/site visit activities. Conducts literature searches and web-based queries to seek out potential research opportunities. Conducts moderately complex to complex analyses concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of substantive program operations. Gathers, analyzes, and presents data for further program analysis utilizing research trends and results tracking to inform policy related to scientific content. Identifies opportunities for continuous improvements to databases, data gathering and analytical approaches. Provides data input and feedback to strategic support staff as requested or necessary.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

To qualify at the GS-09, you need to have one of the following: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include engaging in ongoing analysis of business processes to continually identify and recommend solutions to problems, using quantitative and qualitative analytical techniques, developing and presenting factual evidence both in writing and before an audience to support enhancements in the methods of performing work, reviewing data for trends related to business processes, interpreting those trends, and determining causes and possible courses of action;

OR, possess a master`s or equivalent graduate degree;

OR, possess 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree;

OR, possess a combination of post high school education and experience that together meet the qualification requirements for this position.

To qualify at the GS-11, you need to have one of the following: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include analyzing the effectiveness and efficiency of business operations and programmatic processes using qualitative and quantitative techniques, choosing, interpreting, or adapting guidelines for application to specific issues or subjects studied, planning and carrying out projects to improve administrative support efficiency/productivity, gathering data and analyzing/evaluating/interpreting trends to enhance work performance, completing reports and making recommendations to managers related to internal administrative operations;

OR, possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree;

OR, possess 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree;

OR, possess a combination of post high school education and experience that together meet the qualification requirements for this position.

Education may be substituted for experience as described in "Qualifications."

You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date. You must answer all job-related questions in the NSF eRecruit questionnaire. All online applicants must provide a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.

This position is in the bargaining unit.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Ratings will be assigned based on your responses to the occupational questionnaire. In some cases, additional assessment processes may be used. Review your resume and responses carefully. Responses that are not fully supported by the information in your application package may result in adjustments to your score. A Human Resources Representative will validate the qualifications of those candidates eligible to be referred to the selecting official.

Applicants eligible for selection preference under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) must meet the agency definition of "well qualified." At NSF, this means a score of 90.0 or higher.

In the merit promotion selection process, due weight will be given to incentive awards and performance appraisals.

BENEFITS:

A GREAT LOCATION! The National Science Foundation is conveniently located one block from the Ballston Metro Station, a few blocks from Routes 66 and 50, and about three miles from downtown Washington. Employees may rent parking spaces in the building garage. There are many shops and restaurants within easy walking distance. Employees receive the Federal benefits package and NSF offers:

HOW TO APPLY:

Your application should be submitted online and must be completed and all required documents successfully faxed (or uploaded) before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the closing date. You must answer all of the job-related questions to ensure full consideration for this position. For more detailed information, please review our NSF eRecruit Applicant Guide.

If you do not have internet access or if you have questions, please contact the Human Resources Representative listed in the vacancy announcement.

WARNING! Applications submitted online must have a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.

Applications received by the closing date of this announcement will continue to be considered for up to 90 days after the closing date.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

NOTE: THE AUTOMATED APPLICATION TOOL IDENTIFIES A NUMBER OF DOCUMENTS THAT MUST BE SUBMITTED FOR THIS POSITION BUT ARE NOT ACTUALLY REQUIRED. THE DOCUMENTS DESCRIBED BELOW ARE THE ONLY ONES REQUIRED FOR THIS JOB. ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS LISTED ARE OPTIONAL.

If you are an NSF employee in a permanent, competitive service position or you are an NSF employee who is reinstatement eligible based on prior Federal permanent, competitive service, you need not submit documents to confirm status.

1. Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) or comparable federal agency form if you are a current or former permanent federal civil service employee.2. DD-214 (Member-4 copy); and if applicable, the Department of Veterans Affairs Notice of Compensable Disability Rating from applicants requesting consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA), Veteran Recruitment Act (VRA), or the disabled veterans appointing authority.3. Schedule A Certification - from applicants requesting consideration under the Schedule A appointing authority for disabled applicants.4. Other - Documentation which verifies you are eligible to be appointed to a permanent position in the federal competitive civil service.

If you are requesting special employment consideration under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) you must submit documentation provided by your current or former employing agency verifying your eligibility for that program.

All faxing/uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the vacancy closing date.If you are faxing your information, please use extreme care in dialing the fax number to assure we receive your information. You will receive an email confirmation of receipt of your faxed/uploaded document(s).